Thread: Even bevel razor?

So I was looking at getting a Dovo best quality full hollow razor, here is a review on amazon of the razor I was looking at:

By
Alex McCarthy (Canton, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)


This review is from: Dovo Carbon Steel Half Hollow Best Quality Razor, 5/8" Black Handle (Health and Beauty)
I purchased this razor (the white one) a few months ago, and it stated that it was shave ready. This was the very first straight razor that I've ever had. I used it, and learned how to NOT cut myself. I learned to strop a bit, then after having a few un-comfortable shaves, and a BUNCH of missed whiskers - I decided to purchase a jewelers' loupe, and check out what everything looked like up close. To my surprise, the razor only had a sharpened/beveled edge on half of one side, and half of the other side! It was sharp on the center "half" of one side, then the outside "half's" of the other side. It just didn't have a full edge on it on either side. Now that I know what it looks like up close, I can actually tell with the naked eye. I didn't know to look for things like that before.

This has now become my "learn to hone" razor, I used what is called a "bread-knife" technique on this blade, and I'm starting over from scratch to see if I can produce an even bevel. I have purchased another straight razor for now, so I can get back to learning to use one.




From that persons review I concluded that the razor I'm buying only has a sharp edge at certain parts of the blade, is this the same for all razors bought new? I'd like to buy one where I can shave with the entire blade in one stroke, or is the entire blade not designed to have a cutting edge? Help.

Welcome to SRP.

No.

Buy a razor from a shop that hones them for you, and you will not have any issues.

Straight Razor Designs comes to mind

I'll not comment on that review, other than to say there's a reason I don't look to Amazon reviews for razor related stuff.

Factory edges may be shave ready for some people but not for most of us here on SRP. Since you purchased it from Amazon I suspect it is a factory edge. When a razor has a bevel only in the center on one side and only on the toe and heal on the other it usually means the blade is slightly warped, which is not uncommon. If this is true it probably is not a good razor to learn to hone with and you would be better off sending it to someone that hones razors for a good amount of time and mention that the blade may be warped. Good luck.

Welcome to SRP and + 1 to previous posters. BTW, never breadknife a razor unless there is no other alternative. You've created a lot more work for whoever hones it now. Check out the SRP beginner's guide in the SRP Wiki here. Also a lot of honing tutorials in the Wiki.

Originally Posted by Mike87

So I was looking at getting a Dovo best quality full hollow razor, here is a review on amazon of the razor I was looking at:

From that persons review I concluded that the razor I'm buying only has a sharp edge at certain parts of the blade, is this the same for all razors bought new? I'd like to buy one where I can shave with the entire blade in one stroke, or is the entire blade not designed to have a cutting edge? Help.

The razor is fine, just get it from a reputable vendor that hones the razors first... as above, Straight Razor Designs comes to mind...

The guy that bought the amazon razor had a factory edge on it, and depending on when that review was done, it might have been a really bad edge...

A) You should start with a shave ready razor for your first time
B) Read reviews on here, and pay extra attention to the people with mentor badges.

Is the part about breadknifing from the review, or is that something you wrote? I would ignore everything from anyone who decides to breadknife a brand new razor just to see if they can get an even bevel back.

Sorry let me clarify a few things:

1. I have not bought my straight razor yet, everything posted there is from the reviewer.

2. What is confusing me, is what kind of an edge should a factory sharpened brand new straight razor from Dovo carry? This man mentioned the middle of one side as being sharp, and the tail ends on the other side being sharp. This is something I did not see addressed on the forum or the FAQ. Does a brand new properly sharpened razor hold a sharp edge across the entire blade, or only in 'parts' of it?

Just a confused newbie. This is the last thing I am curious about before I buy my razorblade, I don't see anything wrong from buying through amazon as long as I am buying the product new and not used, correct?

Been there, done that.

Cheaper Dovos seem to be slightly warped. The first razor I've bought was a Dovo Black Star, factory-new.

Problem was, it wasn't shave ready. It just wasn't. A few weeks later, I acquired a Kayser Ellison Sheffield razor from swiss ebay. The guy who sold it has been shaving with a straight and honing for decades. The razor he sold me is excellent, too.
I have always noted the "uneven" bevel, something absent on my Sheffield. At the toe, on one side, the bevel is thinner than on the other side, same towards the heel. In the middle section of the edge the bevel seems to be more or less even on both sides.

Now, this is not optimal, since it's definitely harder to hone, especially if you're a newbie at this like I was (and still am).

I have a Naniwa 1k/3k Combo hone and a Suehiro Gold 8k + regular strop.

I can easily get my sheffield shave ready, never had any problems honing it. My dovo is a different story though. I've honed it several times by now and I finally seem to be getting it (just put on a new edge today, shaved with it, it was fine).

Long story short: New Dovos are fine, but they may not be the perfect start for someone who wants to learn how to hone. Send it to a pro.

BTW: All of the expensive Dovos I've seen so far (i've seen only a couple of them) seemed to have very even, nice bevels.

Originally Posted by Mike87

Sorry let me clarify a few things:

1. I have not bought my straight razor yet, everything posted there is from the reviewer.

Got that

2. What is confusing me, is what kind of an edge should a factory sharpened brand new straight razor from Dovo carry? This man mentioned the middle of one side as being sharp, and the tail ends on the other side being sharp. This is something I did not see addressed on the forum or the FAQ. Does a brand new properly sharpened razor hold a sharp edge across the entire blade, or only in 'parts' of it?

That razor was factory sharpened that is NOT "Shave Ready" it might have been bad it might not have been,,, Only a experienced honer would be able to tell.. A newb will just make that worse

Just a confused newbie. This is the last thing I am curious about before I buy my razorblade, I don't see anything wrong from buying through amazon as long as I am buying the product new and not used, correct?

No that is not correct they are cheaper because they still need to be made "Shave Ready" you need to factor in about $30 to do that after the fact with shipping plus the wait time

There is a huge difference between "Sharpened" and "Shave Ready" hence why all of us keep pointing you toward SRD or another REPUTABLE straight razor vendor...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

There is a huge difference between "Sharpened" and "Shave Ready" hence why all of us keep pointing you toward SRD or another REPUTABLE straight razor vendor...

Ok interesting information, would this qualify for a first shave, I picked this out on SRD:

73.99


We include in the price of each razor professional sharpening, shave tested and disinfected. We have also placed a thin coat of Camellia Oil over the blade to protect it. When you receive the razor, all you need to do is wipe off the oil and it is ready to shave the first time without stropping. An initial stropping can also be done if you prefer.
Dovo Best Quality, 6/8" is a great razor and blade without the frills. Get a Great Shave without the high cost. High Quality Carbon Steel forged Blade in black scales. Full Hollow Ground Blade. Just a Great Razor for the Money.






Not to be rude, but the amazon price is equivalent for the same product and both say shave ready, however, given that the price is the same, I will probably buy it through SRD as they look like a reputable company that backs their product up.



I guess what I'm asking is, do I need to get this razor sent out to be sharpened or just run over it with a leather strop before the first shave?